In a bid to provide healthcare infrastructural relief to its ally India, 6 US Planes with COVID-19 related medical supplies have reached in India in the past one week. Several countries across the world have stood in solidarity with India and have provided aid to the country. The development could be immensely helpful to the nation as it fights the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Remdesivir, Oxygen Cylinders and Testing kits sent by USA

The US have sent shipments that have medical supplies including 1,25,000 vials of the Remdesivir drug that’s used to treat critical COVID-19 patients. The supplies also include around refillable 1,500 oxygen cylinders and 1 million rapid diagnostic testing kits to identify COVID-19 patients.

The planes that landed in India have also come with 550 portable oxygen concentrators that convert ambient air into medical grade oxygen. The special attribute of these oxygen concentrators is that they come with a lifespan of over 5 years and can help more than 20 patients at the same time.

Further the six planes that have landed have also come with over 2.5 million N95 masks for the healthcare workers and other frontline professionals. Further, 210 oximeters have also been provided that can be used to measure the oxygen level of critical patients.

Assistance worth $100 million, Department of Defence, Department of Health and Human Service involved

The total financial amount of the assistance amounts to $100 million. The USAID mentioned how the country is working closely with top Indian health experts to respond to the evolving trends in the second wave of the COVID-19.

The shipments that were sent to India were sent by the joint efforts of USAID (United States Agency for International Development) which involved major US govt departments such as DoD (Department of Defence), DoS (Department of State), Department of Health and Human Services, in partnership with United Airlines, National Airlines and the State of California.

Just last week the USAID was in the news for promptly arranging the funding to purchase 1,000 mobile oxygen concentrators for India.

First Shipment Arrives for India

Earlier on April 30th, the US’s first plane arrived with a shipment of emergency relief resources for India in its fight against the virus. The shipment which included 400 oxygen cylinders, over 1,00,000 N95 masks and close to a million rapid diagnostic test kits was carried by the Super Galaxy Military Transporter.

Biden sends raw materials for Covishield production

These are not the only efforts seen by the United States for its ally. Earlier, Serum Institute of India’s CEO asked the US to lift the embargo on vaccine raw materials so that production can be ramped up. To this, the US said that it would make the materials available for India’s Covishield and would also add equipment such as oxygen generation gear and ventilators to aid the nation.

The White House also released a statement saying-

“Just as India sent assistance to the United States when our hospitals were strained early in the pandemic, the United States is determined to help India in its time of need.”

In a report by NDTV, Ronak D. Desai, who’s an expert of US-India relations at the Harvard University, was quoted saying-

“The official US response over the last few days to India’s horrific COVID crisis underscores the depth and breadth of Washington’s unwavering commitment to India. Both the Biden administration and the US Congress have spared no effort toward this end in a testament to the strength and character of the bilateral relationship.”

Indian goodwill continues to enjoy US Congress’ Attention: Harvard Expert

He further added that one of the biggest factors that contributed to such prompt actions was how both the US House and the US Senate came together and mobilized the resources to help India in its suffering. Desai said that this effort goes on to prove that India’s goodwill continues to enjoy US Congress’ attention.